Liquid sample supply apparatus



Jan. 25, 1966 J. lSREELl ETAL LIQUID SAMPLE SUPPLY APPARATUS 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 31, 1963 I NVEN TORS dqc/r 64 6641 Y7isooogaf5/uawwelyw Ame/var Jan. 25, 1966 J. lSREELl ETAL LIQUID SAMPLESUPPLY APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 31, 1963 ark Jan. 25, 1966J. ISREELI ETAL 3,230,776

LIQUID SAMPLE SUPPLY APPARATUS Filed May 31, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I libI 3-4-0 0 22 M f V \u A M1161? TIME/Q I INVENTORS V dncx /6/?EELJ BY fic'ooope'fi/ucmwawky dim. CKL

Jan. 25, 1966 J. ISREELI ETAL LIQUID SAMPLE SUPPLY APPARATUS 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 31, 1963 United States Patent 3,230,776 LHQUIDSAMPLE SUPPLY APPARATUS Jack Israeli, Tuckahoe, and TheodoreBilichniansky,

Pleasant Valley, N.Y., assignors to Technician instruments Corporation,Chauncey, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed May 31, 1963, Ser. No.284,718 6 Claims. (Cl. 73-423) This invention relates to an automaticmethod and apparatus for supplying samples of materials and, moreparticularly but not necessarily exclusively, to a method and apparatusof this nature which are peculiarly adaptable to the automaticsuccessive supply of a plurality of distinct liquid samples to a liquidanalysis apparatus.

One object of our invention is the provision of sample supply method andapparatus as above, incorporating improved means for feeding,positioning and taking the samples while effecting an almost continuousconcurrent mixing thereof.

A further object of our invention is the provision of a method andapparatus as above incorporating improved means for supplying a washliquid to the sample take-off means between the taking of successivesamples, and separating adjacent samples by segments of air, wherebycontamination of one sample by the residue of a preceding sample in thetake-off means is prevented.

Another object of our invention is the provision of a sample supplyapparatus as above of generally improved construction which isespecially useful for the rapid and automatic supply of different bloodor blood serum samples of predetermined quantity to an automatic liquidanalysis apparatus for the quantitative analysis of each of the sampleswith respect to one or more constituents thereof.

In a herein disclosed preferred embodiment, the apparatus will be seento comprise readily interchangeable, indexible carrier means forsupporting a plurality of in dividual liquid containers. Liquid mixingand take-oil means are positioned above the carrier means and areoperative, through the medium of interconnected electromechanicalcontrol means as each container is in turn indexed into positiontherebelow, to mix and withdraw substantially all of the liquid from thecontainer for supply to an associated analysis apparatus. Separatewash-liquid container means are mounted adjacent the liquid take-offmeans whereby a quantity of wash liquid may be supplied to the take-dmeans following the withdrawal of each liquid sample from the containersto cleanse the take-off apparatus and thus prevent contamination of anysample by the residue of one previously withdrawn. Readilyinterchangeable timing means are incorporated in the aforementionedelectro-mechanical control means to enable the convenient variation ofthe operational time characteristics of the sample supply process as maybe required by the difierent properties of the liquids to be supplied tothe analysis apparatus.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of our inventionwill be made clear by the following description of the herein disclosedpreferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein:

PEG. 1 is a top plan view partially in section with parts cut away ofthe apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 1;

FlG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the mixing and take-off assemblies of theapparatus;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are isometric projections of the mixing and take-offassemblies of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the control circuit of the invention.

Turning now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, theapparatus of the hereindisclosed preferred embodiment of our inventionwill be seen to comprise essentially a housing 11; with turntableassembly 12, indexing drive means 13, mixer and sample take-offassemblies 14 and 16, respectively, mixer and take-off assemblyactuating mechanisms 17, timing mechanism 18, and wash liquid reservoir29, positioned thereon or therewithin in the depicted manners.

In the operation of the apparatus, a plurality of liquid samplecontaining cups are mounted upon the turntable assembly and positionedin turn thereby through the operation of the indexing drive mechanism toa position in alignment with the mixing and sample take-ofi assemblies.The latter are actuated by the operation of the associated actuating andtiming mechanisms as each cup is in turn indexed therebelow, to mix andwithdraw at least a portion of the liquid contained therein for supplyto an associated analysis apparatus. Following the withdrawal of eachsample by the take-off apparatus, the latter is positioned by theassociated actuating mechanism within the liquid wash reservoir for thesupply of a slug of wash liquid thereto to cleanse the said apparatusprior to the withdrawal of the next succeeding sample thereby.

Turning now in greater detail to the turntable assembly, it is seen tocomprise a generally circular plate 21, shaped as shown, andincorporating a circular array of cup mounting holes 22 formed adjacentthe periphery thereof. Cups 23 are removably mounted within these holesby insertion therewithin in the depicted slightly canted manner, wherebyany appreciable quantity of liquid in the cups will tend to accumulatefor convenient removal therefrom by the take-off assembly at the outerportions of the interiors thereof. Thus, at least a portion of theliquid sample within the cup may be removed therefrom by the take-offassembly to make possible the utilization of samples of minimum quantityas might prove most desirable, for example, in the taking of bloodsamples from infants for analysis in an associated blood testingapparatus. A switch actuating tab 114 is adjustably positioned adjacentthe periphery of the turntable plate in any well known manner forpurposes described in detail hereinbelow.

Turntable plate support shaft 24 is journaled for ro tation in housingmounted bearing assembly 27 and includes a driving collar 23 removablysecured thereto by set screw 29. Drive plate 28 rests on and is securedto the driving collar by peening the latter over the former at thejuncture thereof. Turnatable plate subassembly, including turntableplate 21, knob 26 and stiffener plate 26' are held together as a unitarymember by eyelets 2 extending as shown between the stiffener andturntable plates and by the peening of the knob over the stiffener plateat the juncture thereof. The turntable plate subassembly is mounted asshown on the driving collar to rest on the drive plate by sliding theknob 26 over the support shaft 24. Drive pins 3 are attached to andextend upwardly from the drive plate 28' into holes 3' pro videdtherefor in the turntable plate whereby the turntable plate subassemblymay be correctly positioned relative to the drive plate and rotatablydriven thereby.

tion of the driving collar and is secured thereto by the peening over ofthe collar at the juncture thereof. Pin 31 extends as shown between thegear plate and collar to properly position and lock the former to thelatter.

The Geneva gear plate is in turn driven by the engagement therewith ofGeneva cam 34- in the manner made clear by FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Theconfiguration of the cam is seen to be such that every completerevolution thereof will function in a well known manner to advance theGeneva gear plate one notch and thence maintain it stationary aspositioned until the leading edge 36 of the cam driving portion 3%enters the next succeeding notch 35 to repeat the driving process. TheGeneva cam assembly is fixedly mounted as shown upon drive shaft 37 ofinduction motor 38 and is rotatably driven thereby to drive the Genevagear 32 and the associated turntable assembly 12.

In the preferred embodiment herein disclosed, the construction of theturntable plate and Geneva gear plate are so related that the plate willbe indexed one cup position for every one notch advancement of theGeneva gear by the cam 34. Thus, the plate will advance one cup positionfor every complete revolution of cam 34 and, as follows, shaft 37 andthe driving gear 39 fixedly attached thereto. The significance of thisfixed relationship between the turntable plate advancement rate and therevolution rate of driving gear 39 is made clear by detailed referencethereto hereinbelow. Suffice however at this juncture to point out thatthe revolution rate of driving gear 39 controls the rate at which themixer and takeoff assemblies are actuated, whereby it may be appreciatedthat this fixed relationship insures the essential synchronization ofthe turntable advancement rate and the operational rates of the mixerand take-off assemblies.

, The rotation of driving gear 39 by induction motor 33 functions torotatably drive the identically sized, meshed gear 41 in the oppositedirection. Gear 41 is in turn connected, through the medium of pivotallymounted connecting link 42, to actuating gear 43 which is seen in FIG. 4to be rotatably mounted on shaft 4-7 journaled in housing brace member48. It is to be noted that the link is pivotally mounted on both pin 44of gear 41 and pin 46 of actuating gear 43, whereby one completecounterclockwise revolution of gear 41. from the position thereofdepicted in FIG. 2, will result first in counter-clockwise rotation ofactuating gear 43 from the position thereof depicted in FIG. 2 to theposition of FIG. 3, followed by clockwise rotation thereof back to theposition of FIG. 2. Thus, the actuating gear 43 is seen to be oscillatedthrough a cycle of approximately 60, namely 30 to each side of bottomdead center.

Cam drive gear 51 is fixedly secured to earn shaft 52, which shaft is inturn journaled for rotation in bearing 53 mounted on housing bracemember 48. The cam drive gear is seen to be meshed with the actuatinggear 43, whereupon the just described oscillatory movement of the latterwill result in oppositely directed oscillatory movement of the formerthrough a cycle of approximately 270 to drive the cam shaft 52 throughan identical cycle.

A nylon lift cam 54 is mounted on the opposite extremity of shaft 52 anddriven thereby through the medium of pin 56 which keys the cam to theshaft. Mixer support arm 57 is seen in FIGS. 1-4 to be pivotally mountedon the housing brace member '48 bypin 59, with the undersurface of thefree end of the arm resting atop and solely supported by the lift cam,whereupon the arm will be moved up and down to describe an arcabout pin59 extending from the arm position depicted in FIG. 2 to that depictedin FIG. 3 as the cam is oscillated through its cycle by the action ofshaft 52.

A vibratory mixed 14 is aflixed as shown to the free end of the supportarm 57 by support post 61 extending therebetween and is thus oscillatedthereby through a corresponding arc of an extent made clear by furthercomparison of FIGS. 2 and 3. The mixer is of the solenoid actuated typedisclosed in our copending United States Patent No. 3,107,537, issuedOctober 22, 1963; and com prises two polyethylene coated mixer paddles52 which are seen to extend therefrom into the interiors of adjacentliquid containers 23 in the manner made clear by FIGS. 2, 7 and 8whenever the mixer assumes the position depicted in these figures. Themixer paddles are further seen in FIGS. 3 and 9 to be completelywithdrawn from the cups and thus offer no impediment to the indexingthereof when the mixer is positioned as depicted in these figures.

The liquid take-off assembly actuating mechanism, generally indicated at16, is also operated by the action of lift cam 54 in a manner made clearhereinbelow whereby the operations of the mixer and take-olf assembliesare mutually synchronized and, through the medium of gear 41 andconnecting link 42, with the operation of the turntable plate 21. Tothis effect, the take-off assembly is positioned adjacent the cam andseen to comprise a crook holder block 64 and triangular link 66interconnected as a unitary member by screws 67 extending therebetween.A mounting hole 68 extends through the holder block and link whereby thesame are pivotally mounted on a cam mounted actuating pin 63 by theextension of the pin through the mounting hole. The pin is maintainedtherein a well known manner by holding member 69. The triangular link 66extends rearwardly from the block as shown, and is pivotally attached toa walking beam link 71 by pin 72. The walking beam link is in turnpivotally mounted on housing bracket 73 by pin 74 extendingtherebetween. A bent over tab portion 76 is formed on triangular link 66for purposes described in detail hereinbelow.

Liquid take-off crook 77, comprising metal tube 75 with tubing 80,preferably of polyethylene, mounted therewithin, and crook mountingblock 78, are supported by a crook support post 79 extending into thecrook holder block 64. Tubing Stl extends as shown through metal tube 75and is in turn connected to any convenient source of reduced pressurewhereby air or liquid is drawn thereinto through the crook dependingupon the location of the inlet end of the latter. The tubing 8% is thesupply conduit whereby liquid samples withdrawn from the cups throughthe crook may be supplied to an associated liquid analysis apparatus.

The wash liquid reservoir 20 is secured by bolt 5 on the housinglladjacent the turntable plate 21 and in alignment with the path of travelof the crook. The reservoir comprises an integral liquid receptacle 32.including inlet and outlet conduits 83 and 8d, respectively, whereby aconstant flow of wash-liquid from any convenient source may bemaintained therein for supply to the crook when the inlet end of thelatter is positioned therewithin as shown in FIG. 3.

The path described by the inlet end of the crook as it oscillates fromthe position of FIGS. 2 and 8, through the position of FIG. 9, to theposition of FIG. 3, and thence back to the position of FIGS. 2 and 8, isdetermined by both the distance between the pivot point of the lift cam(the center of cam shaft 52) and the pivot point of the crook holderblock on the cam (the center of actuating pin 63) as well as therespective lengths of the pivotally connected links 66 and 71.

If operation of the apparatus is commenced with the crook and mixerpaddles positioned within adjacent aligned cup 23 as depicted in FIGS. 2and 8, and induction motor 34 actuated to drive gear 41counter-clockwise from the position of FIG. 2 to the position of FIG. 3,the mixer and take-off assemblies Will be seen to be actuated in thefollowing manners. The counter-clock wise rotation of gear 41 will,through connecting link 42, commence the counter'clockwise rotation ofactuating gear 43 which will in turn commence the clockwise rotation ofcam drive gear 51 and the cam shaft 52 to which the latter is affixied.The corresponding rotation of the lift cam 54 will drive the cam mountedactuating pin 63 in a circular arc about the center of shaft 52 to raisethe crook upwardly and away from the cup 23 through the combined actionof pivotally mounted crook holder block 64 and the connecting links 66and 71. Mixer paddles 62, which move in an arc about the center of shaft59, will be simultaneously moved in a generally similar manner upwardlyand away from the interiors of the cups by the action of the high sideof the cam relative thereto as it passes beneath the mixer support arm57 and the latter is lifted thereby. The rotation of the cam continueswith the crook continuing to move upwardly and away from the cups toclear the edge of the wash-liquid receptacle. The mixer assembly will atthis point remain supported above the cups by the action of the highside of the cam against the undersurface of the mixer support arm. Theclockwise rotation of the cam continues until actuating pin 63 hasdescribed a circular arc of approximately 270 about the center of shaft52 at which point the crook will have been moved thereby from theposition depicted in FIGS. 2 and 8, through the position depicted inFIG. 9, to the position within the wash-liquid receptacle depicted inFIG. 3, and by the dashed lines, in FIG. 9. The mixer paddles, on theother hand, will at this point have been moved back downwardly as thelow side of the cam passes again beneath the support arm 5] whereuponthe paddles will re-enter the cups. It is to be noted however that thecups have in turn been simultaneously indexed, in a manner described indetail hereinbelow, through one cup position while the mixer andtake-off assemblies were withdrawn therefrom in the just describedmanner. Thus, the mixer paddles 62 are now positioned in the newlyindexed cups while the crook is positioned within the Wash liquidreceptacle. At this point, continued rotation of gear 41 will, throughthe action of pivoted link 42, reverse the rotation of actuating gear 43and move it in a clockwise direction to return the link and gear to theposition shown in FIG. 2. The return travel of actuating gear 43 will ofcourse function to also repeat in reverse the just described movementsof the take-off and mixer assemblies, Thus, the former will be raisedfrom the wash liquid receptacle and returned by the same path toposition the crook in the cup 23 newly indexed into alignment therewith.Simultaneously, the mixer paddles 62 will be raised from and reloweredinto this same newly indexed cup and the cup immediately adjacentthereto.

The timing mechanism, generally indicated at 18, is seen in FIGS. 1 and6 to comprise a housing mounted constant speed motor 91 with motor shaft92 extending therefrom. Shaft 9% including enlarged threaded end 104 iscoupled to the motor shaft by coupling 95 extending therebetween, and isjournaled for rotation as shown in housing mounted bearing 93. Timingcam base member 85' and timing cam 94 are positioned over the enlargedend of the shaft and removably secured thereto by cam nut 81 threadablysecured thereover. The relative alignment of the cam base member, timingcam plates, and the enlarged shaft end are fixed in a well known mannerby roll pins 195 and 110 extending therebetween. The

timing cam will be seen in FIGS. 1 and 6 to include notches ofpredetermined peripheral extent formed in the periphery thereof. At thisjuncture it is well to note that the operational characteristics of thetiming cam,

namely the extent and placement of the notches, control directly theoperational time cycles of the turntable,

mixer, and take-off assemblies in a manner set forth in detailhereinbelow, whereby it may at this point be readily appreciated thatthe removal of the cam plate and the substitution of another thereforembodying different operational characteristics will, in itself, sufficeto vary the operational time cycles of the aforementioned as semblies tothus provide a sample supply apparatus of significant versatility. Forexample, should it prove desirable to increase the length of time thetake-off assembly is operatively positioned in the sample cups and washliquid receptacleas might be required for the supply of liquid samplesof substantial viscosity to the associated liquid analysisapparatus-this may be readily accomplished by the convenientsubstitution of a timing cam embodying the requisite operationalcharacteristics. Too, the nature of the particular sample constituent tobe tested for in the associated liquid analysis apparatus might makedesirable modification of the overall or relative lengths of thewash-liquid and/or sample supply time periods. Alternatively, the timingcam might be constructed to comprise a plurality of notched platesmounted one above the other on the enlarged shaft end 1%, whereby thesimple loosening of cam nut 81 and the relative angular adjustment ofthe plates would suffice to vary the extent and placement of theperipheral cam notches as should be obvious.

The control system of the apparatus, illustrated schematically in FIG.10, is of a generally electro-mechanical nature and includes theaforementioned timing mechanism. Further included in the control systemare single throw switch 101 which is mounted on the housing adjacent thetiming cam with the switch actuator arm 102 riding on and actuated bythe notched cam periphery as seen in FIG. 1; mercury switch 1% which ismounted as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 on mixer assembly support arm 57 andis open only when the mixer is tilted up and away from the cups asdepicted in FIG. 3; normally closed microswitch 104 which is mounted onthe housing adjacent the take-oif assembly actuating mechanism with theswitch actuating arm 1% being depressed by the lower extremity of thecrook holder block 64 to open the switch when the block is in theposition of FIG. 2; normally closed microswitch 107 which is mounted asshown on the housing adjacent the triangular link 66 with the switchactuating arm 108 being depressed to open the switch by link tab 76 whenthe triangularlink is in the position of FIG. 3; maintained contactswitch 111 mounted as best shown in FIG. 6 on the housing adjacent theturntable plate 21 with the switch actuator arm 112; projecting throughhousing aperture 113 for actuation by the abutment of adjustablypositionable turntable plate tab 114 therewith; manually operated buzzercontrol switch 115 and power switch 116 mounted atop the housing asshown in FIG. 1; power-0n indicating light 11". mounted atop the housingadjacent the manually operated switches; and a warning buzzer Bconnected as shown in series with switches 115 and 111 and operative toprovide an audible signal at the completion of the sampling operation inresponse to the tripping of switch 111 by turntable plate tab 114.Maintained contact switch 111 is further seen to include a re-setactuator 119 (FIG. 6) extending therefrom into abutment with one surfaceof spring 120. Housing mounted re-set button assembly 121, includingre-set actuator shaft 122, is positioned adjacent the switch with there-set actuator shaft extending into contact with and biased by theother surface of the spring, whereby the switch may be re-set bydepression of the re-set button for further operation of the samplingapparatus after having been tripped by the abutment of turntable platetab 114 with switch actuator arm 112 at the completion of a samplingoperation. For convenience of description, the operative positions ofmaintained contact switch 111 and single throw switch 1M have beenlabeled as A and B in schematic depiction of FIG. 10.

The operation of the sampling apparatus as a whole 2' will now bedescribed in detail whereupon the manner in which the varioushereinabove described assemblies and systems cooperate to produce thedesired result,,namely the supply of non-contaminated segmented liquidsamples to an associated liquid analysis apparatus, should becomereadily apparent to those skilled in this art.

At the commencement of a sample supply operation, as for example thetaking and supply of blood samples, the supply conduit St is operativelyconnected to an associated blood analysis apparatus, as for exampleautomatic blood testing apparatus of the nature disclosed in UnitedStates Patent No. 2,797,149 issued June 25, 1957, and the cups 23 areinserted as shown in the holes provided therefor in the turntable plate21. A small sample quantity of a different blood is then placed in someor all of the cups to a level sufficient to enable the withdrawaltherefrom of the sample by the crook and the supply of the samplethrough conduit 3t} to the associated testing apparatus. Alternatively,the sample may be placed in the cups before the insertion of the cups inthe plate to allow for refrigerated storage of the sample-containingcups.

Positioning of the timing cam 94 follows to locate arm 102 of switch1191 within a cam notch 95 just adjacent an edge portion thereof toinsure that the switch is initially in position B as seen in FIG. 10.The positioning of turntable plate tab 114 is then adjusted, ifnecessary just to the right of actuator 112 as seen in FIG. 1 so thatthe tab will not abut the actuator to move switch 111 from position A toposition B until each of the sample-containing cups has been indexedinto alignment with the takeoff assembly to enable the withdrawal of thesample therefrom. Depression of re-set button 121 follows to insure thatswitch 111 is initially in position A.

With the turntable plate so located, it should be noted that the crook7'7 and mixer paddles 62 will be positioned in the manner of FIG. 3 withthe crook in the wash-liquid receptacle 82, and aspirating wash-liquid,and the mixer paddles within the interiors of the sample cups 23 locatedin alignment therewith. At this starting point only the flat, ornon-driving portion of the Geneva cam will be within the Geneva gearplate notch 35 located in alignment therewith, with the driving portionof the cam located at least 30 therebehind.

Power is next applied to the control circuit through the manual closureof switch 116. Upon the expiration of a.

predetermined period of time with the turntable plate and Y mixer andtakeoff assemblies positioned in the manner of FIG. 3, an edge of timingcam notch 96 in which switch actuator 1632 has been riding will berotated into abutment with switch actuator 102, to transfer switch 101from position B to position A to restart operation of the driving motorthrough the said switch and the now closed switch 104. At this point,the take-off and mixer assemblies are still of course in the position ofFIG. 3, whereupon operation of the driving motor will function, throughthe action of gear 41, link 42 and actuating gear 43, to transfer thesaid assemblies to the position of FIG. 2 in the hereinabovc describedmanner. Operation of the driving motor at this time will not function toeffect any rotation of the turntable plate, but rather, will maintainthe plate stationary by the rotation of the flat or non-driving portionof Geneva cam 34 within the notch 35. Thus, the crook will be raisedfrom the wash liquid receptacle and transferred therefrom into the cup23 initially positioned in alignment therewith, while the mixer paddles62 will be simultaneously raised from and relowered into the same cupsnow located in alignment therewith. During this transfer, and just asthe inlet end of the crook is raised above the level of the wash-liquid,a slug of air will of course commence to be drawn thereinto to furtherinsure the removal of any blood sample residue from a previous group ofsamples from the crook and conduit before the introduction of the firstsample of this group thereto. This intake of the slug of air through thecrook will'cease as soon as the inlet end thereof makes contact with thesurfaceof the blood within the cup newly in alignment therewith. It ishere noted that segmentation by air of both the slug of wash liquid andthe sample prior to the supply thereof to the associated liquid analysisapparatus may be readily accomplished in the manner disclosed in UnitedStates Patent No. 3,081,158 issued March 12, 1963, for purposes madeclear in the said patent.

As crook holder block 64 and triangular link 66 are transferred from theposition of FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 2, the former will abutswitch actuator 1% whereby switch 104 will be shifted from the closed tothe open position, and the tab '76 on the latter withdrawn from contactwith switch actuator 1138 to shift switch 11 from the open to the closedposition. This opening of switch 1494 with switch 191 still in positionA will function to discontinue operation of the driving motor 38, asmade clear by FIG. 10.

With the take-01f and mixer assemblies now in the position of FIG. 2,the former will function to withdraw the sample of blood from thatcontained in the cup aligned therewith, and the latter to concurrentlymix the blood in this same cup and the one adjacent thereto to preparethe latter for withdrawal by the crook upon the next operational cycleof the apparatus. The sample mixing and take-off functions continue withoperation of driving motor 38 discontinued until the timing cam 94rotates sufficiently to again present the edge of a notch 96 to switchactuator 162 whereupon the actuator will enter and ride within the notchto return switch 101 to position B and restart operation of the drivingmotor through closed switch 167 which is at this point unaffected bytriangular link tab 76.

At this point, the leading edge 36 of the Geneva cam will enter notch 35but will not, at first, function to advance the Geneva gear platebecause of a slight dwell incorporated in the design of the drivingportion of the cam. In addition, this dwell functions to maintain theGeneva gear plate stationary after the trailing edge of the flat portionof the cam has passed therefrom.

Rotation of the driving motor 38 will however function to commence theraising of the mixer and take-off assemblies from the cups 23 throughthe action of link 42, actuating gear. 43, cam drive gear 51 and liftcam 56, in the hereinabove described manner. As soon as the mixerpaddles 62 and inlet end of crook 77 have cleared the cups, the drivingor slanted portion of the Geneva cam will enter the notch 35 to advancethe Geneva gear one notch, whereupon the turntable plate 21 will beindexed one cup position in the clockwise direction. imultaneouslytherewith, the continued rotation of the driving motor will function toposition the mixer and take-off assemblies in the manner depicted inFIG. 3 with the paddles now being positioned within the cups newlyindexed into alignment therewith, and the inlet end of the crook in thewash liquid reservoir. It is here noted that the reduced pressureconditions within conduit 89 are constantly maintained throughout theentire operation of the sample supply apparatus, whereby it is seen thata slug of air will be drawn thereinto in the interim between the timethe inletend of the crook is raised from the surface of the blood withinthe cup to the time it contacts the surface of the wash-liquid withinthe receptacle. Thus, the blood sample just supplied to the associatedblood analysis apparatuswill be followed immediately by a slug of airwhereby any residue of the blood from this sample clinging to theinterior walls of the crook or the conduit will tend to be removedtherefrom by the action of the slug of airas it passes thereover toinhibit contamination by this residue of the next succeeding sample. Thepositioning at this point of the inlet end of the crook within the washliquid receptacle further serves to inhibit, in the same manner,contamination of the next succeeding sample by providing a slug ofwash-liquid to the interiors of the crook and conduit fol-lowing'thepassage therethrough of the slug of air.

As the take-off assembly is transferred in the just described mannerfrom the position of FIG. 2 to the position of FIG. 3, actuator 106 ofswitch 104 will be released by the upward movement of crook holder block65 whereupon the switch will assume its normally closed position.Further, triangular link tab 76 will, as it moves into the position ofFIG. 3, abut and depress actuator 108 of switch 107 whereby this switchwill in turn be opened to discontinue operation of the driving motor 38.

The sample supply apparatus continues to function in this mannersupplying samples of blood separated by a slug of air, a slug of washliquid and another slug of air, in that order, from each preceding andsucceeding sample until each of the sample containing cups has beenindexed in turn into alignment with the take-ofi assembly and thesamples withdrawn therefrom. As the take-off and mixer assemblies areraised from the last sample containing cup to the position of FIG. 3,and switch 107 opened by the abutment of triangular link tab 76therewith, the turntable tab 114 willabut actuator 112 to transferswitch 111 from position A to position B thus discontinuing operation ofthe timer motor 91 and actuating buzzer B to provide audible indicationof the completion of the sampling operation. At this point all thatremains is the opening of switch 116 to discontinue the supply of powerto the apparatus.

Thus, it may be seen wherein our invention provides a method andapparatus particularly adapted to the automatic supply of liquid samplesto an associated automatic liquid analysis apparatus.

This invention is related to, and this application discloses subjectmatter common to, the inventions disclosed in our co-pending UnitedStates applications, Serial Nos. 184,005 (now abandoned) and246,967'filed April 2, 1962 and December 26, 1962, respectively, andassigned to the assignee of this application. Also, certain featuresshown or described but not claimed in our present application areclaimed in the United States Patent No. 3,134,- 263, issued May 26,1964.

While We have shown and described the preferred embodiment of ourinvention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and thatcertain changes in the form and arrangement of parts and in the specificmanner of practicing the invention may be made without departing fromthe underlying idea or principles of this invention within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Liquid sample supply apparatus for supplying a stream of alternatelyinterspaced sample liquid segments and another liquid segments,comprising: carrier means for supporting a plurality of firstreceptacles for sample liquid and for presenting each of said firstreceptacles seriatim to a take-off position; a second receptacle foranother liquid mounted adjacent said take-ofi position; liquid take-offmeans for alternately Withdrawing liquid from one said first receptacledisposed at said take-off position and from said second receptacle; andmeans coupled to said take-elf means for providing said take-off meanswith motion solely in a given plane in which said take-ofi means is bothtransported and tilted into and out of said first receptacles disposedat said take-off position and to, into and out of said secondreceptacle.

2. Liquid sample supply apparatus for supplying a stream of alternatelyinterspaced sample liquid segments and another liquid segments,comprising: carrier means for supporting a plurality of firstreceptacles for sample liquid and for presenting each of said firstreceptacles seriatim to a take-off position; a second receptacle foranother liquid mounted adjacent said take-ofi position; liquid take-01fmeans for alternately Withdrawing liquid from one said first receptacledisposed at said take-ofi position and from said second receptacle;means coupled to said take-off means for providing said take-off meanswith motion solely in a given plane in which said take-off means is bothtransported and rotated, whereby said takeofi means is moved alternatelyto, into and out of said first receptacle disposed at said take-0dposition and to, into and out of said second receptacle; said liquidtake-01f means including an elongated member; and said motion providingmeans including a first link which at one of its ends is fixed to saidelongated member and is pivotally coupled to a rotatable member at apoint radially displaced from the axis of said rotatable member forrotation about said axis of said rotatable member, which first link atthe other of its ends is pivotally coupled to one end of a second link,the other end of which second link is pivotally coupled to a fixedpoint, and means coupled to said rotatable member for oscillating saidrotatable member about its axis.

3. Liquid sample supply apparatus for supplying a stream of alternatelyinterspaced sample liquid segments and another liquid segments,comprising: carrier means for supporting a plurality of firstreceptacles for sample liquid and for presenting each of said firstreceptacles seriatim to a take-oif position; a second receptacle foranother liquid mounted adjacent said take-oil position; liquid take-offmeans for alternately withdrawing liquid from one said first receptacledisposed at said take-off position and from said second receptacle;means cou pled to said take-oil means for providing said take-oil meanswith motion solely in a given plane in which said take-off means is bothtransported and rotated, whereby said take-off means is movedalternately to, into and out of said first receptacle disposed at saidtake-off position and to, into and out of said second receptacle; saidliquid take-oft means including an elongated member; a stirring meanspivotally mounted for insertion and removal from a first receptaclesupported by said carrier means; said motion providing means including afirst link which at one of its ends is fixed to said elongated memberand is pivotaoly coupled to a cam at a point radially displaced from theaxis or" said cam for rotation about said axis of said cam, and whichfirst link at the other of its ends is pivotally coupled to one end of asecond link, the other end of which second link is pivotally coupled toa fixed point, and means coupled to said cam for oscillating said camabout its axis, said cam controlling the insertion and removal of saidstirring means.

4. Liquid sample supply apparatus for supplying a stream of alternatelyinterspaced sample liquid segments, comprising: a chassis; carrier meanscoupled to said chassis for supporting a plurality of first receptaclesfor sample liquid and for presenting each of said first receptaclesseriatim to a take-ofi" position which is fixedly located with respectto said chassis; a second receptacle for another liquid fixedly locatedWith respect to said chassis and adjacent said take-oil position; liquidtake-oil means for alternately withdrawing liquid from one said firstreceptacle disposed at said take-cit position and from said secondreceptacle; means coupled to said chassis and to said take-oil means forproviding said take-oil means with motion solely in a given plane inwhich said takeoff means is both transported and tilted into and out ofsaid first receptacle disposed at said take-off position and to, intoand out of said second receptacle.

5. Liquid sample supply apparatus for supplying a stream of alternatelyinter-spaced sample liquid segments and another liquid segments,comprising: a chassis; carrier means coupled to said chassis forsupporting a plurality of first receptacles for sample liquid and forpresenting each of said first receptacles seriatim to a take-offposition which is fixedly located with respect to said chassis; a secondreceptacle for another liquid fixedly located with respect to saidchassis and adjacent said take-off position; liquid take-off means foralternately withdrawing liquid from one said first receptacle disposedat said take-ofi position and from said second receptacle;

means coupled to said chassis and to said take-off means for providingsaid take-01f means with motion solely in a given plane in which saidtake-oil means is both transported and rotated, whereby said take-ofimeans is moved alternately to, into and out of said first receptacledisposed at said take-off position and to, into and out of said secondreceptacle; said liquid take-off means including an elongated member;said motion providing means including a rotatable member which has ashaft journaled' for rotation in bearings which are fixed to saidchassis, a first link which at one of its ends is fixed to saidelongated member and is pivotally coupled to said rotatable member at apoint radially displaced from said shaft for rotation about said shaft,and which first link at the other of its ends is pivotally coupled toone end of a second link, the other end of which second link ispivotally coupled to a fixed point on said chassis, and means coupled tosaid rotatable member for oscillating said rotatable member on itsshaft.

6. Liquid sample supply apparatus for supplying a stream of alternatelyinterspaced sample liquid segments and another liquid segments,comprising: a chassis; carrier means coupled to said chassis forsupporting a plurality of first receptacles for sample liquid and forpresenting each of said first receptacles seriatim to a take-offposition which is fixedly located with respect to said chassis; a secondreceptacle for another liquid fixedly located with respect to saidchassis and adjacent said take-oil position; liquid take-off means foralternately withdrawing liquid from one said first receptacle disposedat said takeoff position and from said second receptacle; means coupledto said chassis and to said take-off means for providing said take-offmeans with motion solely in a given plane in which said take-oh means isboth transported and rotated, whereby said takeoff means is movedalternately to, into and out of said first receptacle disposed at saidtake-off position and to, into and out of said second recep- Iacle; saidliquid take-off means including an elongated member; and said motionproviding means including a first rotatable member which is fixed to ashaft journaled for rotation in bearings whichare fixed to said chassis,a first link which at one of its ends is fixed to said elongated memberand is pivotally coupled to said rotatable meniber at a point radiallydisplaced from said shaft for rotation about said shaft, and which firstlink at the other of its ends is pivotally coupled to one end of asecond link, the other end of which second link is pivotally coupled toa fixed point on said chassis, a first spur gear which has a shaftjournaled for rotationin bearings which are fixed to said chassis, asecond rotatable member which has a shaft journaled for rotation inbearings which are fixed to said chassis, a third link which at one ofits ends is pivotally coupled to said second rotatable member at a pointradially displaced from its shaft for rotation around its shaft, andwhich third link at the other of its ends is pivotally coupled to saidfirst spur gear at a point radially displaced from its shaft, wherebyfull rotation of said second rotatable member causes oscillation of saidfirst spur gearfa second spur gear, meshed with said first spur gear,and fixed to said shaft of said first rotatable member, rotating drivemeans coupled to said second rotatable means whereby rotation of saidsecond rotatable means causes oscillation of said first spur gear meansand thereby oscil: lation of said first rotatable means. i

References Gited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATE Ts 2,673,901 3/1954Kountz 7 4-568 x 2,879,141 3/1959 Skeggs. 3,038,340 6/1962 Isreeli73-423 3,134,263 5/1964 De Jong 7 3 42 3 LOUIS R. PRINCE, PrimaryExaminer.

JOSEPH P. STRIZAK, RICHARD QUEISSER,

' Examiners.

1. LIQUID SAMPLE SUPPLY APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING A STREAM OF ALTERNATELYINTERSPACED SAMPLE LIQUID SEGMENTS AND ANOTHER LIQUID SEGMENTS,COMPRISING: CARRIER MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A PLURALITY OF FIRSTRECEPTACLES FOR SAMPLE LIQUID AND FOR PRESENTING EACH OF SAID FIRSTRECEPTACLES SERIATIM TO A TAKE-OFF POSITION; A SECOND RECEPTACLE FORANOTHER LIQUID MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID TAKE-OFF POSITION; LIQUID TAKE-OFFMEANS FOR ALTERNATELY WITHDRAWING LIQUID FROM ONE SAID FIRST RECEPTACLEDISPOSED AT SAID TAKE-OFF POSITION AND FROM SAID SECOND RECEPTACLE; ANDMEANS COUPLED TO SAID TAKE-OFF MEANS FOR PROVIDING SAID TAKE-OFF MEANSWITH MOTION SOLELY IN A GIVEN PLANE IN WHICH SAID TAKE-OFF MEANS IS BOTHTRANSPORTED AND TILTED INTO AND OUT OF SAID FIRST RECEPTACLES DISPOSEDAT SAID TAKE-OFF POSITION AND TO, INTO AND OUT OF SAID SECONDRECEPTACLE.